Kaelen reports what he sees to the others. The farmhands appear to be cultists as well, so he doubts convincing them to leave their posts peacefully will be an option.

"Then let's not reveal our position early," Brekka agrees.

"The last thing we want is them somehow signalling to the others at the keep that we're coming."

With the farm issue resolved, you make your way to the keep as described earlier.

Arista watches the lazy lizardfolk on the battlements, then eases back behind the rocks. “We’ve spotted their guards, seen both gates, and know they’ve got farmland and goblin caravans for supplies. That’s plenty for the Duke’s planners. At most we could get accurate numbers of the defenders,” she murmurs. “but if we edge closer, one sharp-eyed sentry spots us and every advantage is gone. I say we slip out now, keep our tracks light, and let Threshold come back with a force that’s ready for what we’ve found.”

Asariel looks carefully at the keep, committing the details to memory. "I agree with the first part of that. But I don't think threshold has a force ready for this. So I feel like they will pick an 'elite task force' to infiltrate and diminish the threat. Probably a group of people who have had some experience working together and have also seen the threats at the keep. Maybe a group who are willing to work for a reward rather than just the 'good will of Threshold'. Does a group like that sound familiar to anyone else?"

Arista raises a brow, shifts her staff to the crook of her arm, and with a mock-thoughtful flourish taps the air in the kobolds’ direction—eyes wide with staged innocence while the corners of her mouth curl into the faintest conspiratorial grin.